A guide to spring garden tours in Southern California 2016

Although drought conditions continue in California, the annual lineup of spring garden tours continues, with many showcasing low-water solutions. This year's list includes everything from desert landscapes to lush seaside gardens. Be sure to check websites for more information and updates before you go, because many events sell out. Not all tours are handicap-accessible.

April 2-3: Tour more than 40 gardens composed of at least 50% native plants as part of the annual self-guided native plant tour organized by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants. April 2 will feature gardens in Los Angeles, the Westside and South Bay; April 3 will highlight gardens in the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members, $25, nonmembers, $30. Includes admission for both days. (818) 768-1802; nativeplantgardentour.org and theodorepayne.org

April 16-17: The 69th Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour. The garden tour takes place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The flower show is 1 to 6 p.m. April 16 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 17. Elks Lodge, 6166 Brockton Drive, Riverside. $10. (951) 777-0746; riversideflowershow.info

April 16-17: The Redlands Horticultural & Improvement Society will hold its 2016 Garden Tour and Uncommon Plant Sale will include tours of six private, owner maintained gardens. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $15. Tickets are good for both days. redlandsgardenclub.com

April 17: The Westlake Village Garden Club's 43rd Garden Tour highlights five gardens, including an English-style drought-tolerant garden complete with a bocce court, a Balinese-inspired garden, as well as a xeriscape project. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $25. westlakevillagegardenclub.com

April 23-24: The Floral Park Home and Garden Tour highlights homes and gardens in the neighborhood north of Santa Ana. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets, $25; same day, $30. Classic cars and antiques vendors will be located on North Park Drive. (714) 648-0904; floralpark.com

April 24: South Pasadena Beautiful hosts a self-guided tour of four sustainable gardens in South Pasadena. 1 to 4 p.m. A plant swap will be held at 1635 Laurel St. Free. southpasbeautiful.org

May 1: Explore six private gardens in Arcadia and Pasadena, open to the public for self-guided tours to benefit the Garden Conservancy. Maps and discounted tickets will be available at the La Casita del Arroyo Garden, 177 S. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; gardens are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 per garden (children under 12 free), no reservations required, and are rain or shine. opendaysprogram.org or (888) 842-2442.

May 1: The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden presents Cultivating the Wild, a tour of the native gardens on site at the botanical garden. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with garden admission of $6 to $10. 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara. sbbg.org

May 1: Ten gardens in View Park, Windsor Hills, View Heights and Ladera Heights will be open to the public during the 2016 Spring Garden Tour presented by Inspired Garden Artistry. The event begins at 10 a.m. with a vendor fair at Monteith Park, 4616 S. Mullen Ave., View Park, with the garden tour running from noon to 5 p.m. $20 to $25. (323) 312-9200. inspiredgardenartistry.com

This garden is featured in the Garden Conservancy's Open Days Tour onMay 7. (LZ Design Group)

May 6: The Laguna Beach Garden Club hosts a self-guided walking tour of nine gardens in the city's Village neighborhood. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $45 to $50. lagunabeachgardenclub.org

May 7: Explore five private gardens in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, open to the public for self-guided tours to benefit the Garden Conservancy. Maps and discounted tickets will be available at Merrihew's Sunset Gardens, 1526 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; gardens are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 per garden (children under 12 free), no reservations required, and are rain or shine. opendaysprogram.org or call (888) 842-2442.

May 12: The 19th Newport Harbor Home and Garden Tour includes stops at several homes and gardens, lunch and an afternoon reception hosted by Barclay Butera Interiors. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $85. (949) 722-9473; newportharborhometour.com